Comminuting chamber for a waste disposal



p 1969 J. H. ENRIGHT ETAL 3,464,638

COMMINUTING CHAMBER FOR A WASTE DISPOSAL Filed Dec. 19, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO 2.5 Jame H. f/vz/awr CHFPZAES A. W/czE [3NMO-QQVIW Mtg? A'T-rozN l 1969 J. H. ENRIGHT ETAL 3,

COMMINUTING CHAMBER FOR A WASTE DISPOSAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYSOwl-II...-

United States Patent 3,464,638 COMMINUTING CHAMBER FOR A WASTE DISPOSALJames H. Enright and Charles A. Wicke, Racine, Wis., assignors, by mesneassignments, to Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Filed Dec. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 602,727 Int. Cl. B02!) 7/02,-B02c 19/00, 23/00 US. Cl. 241-1005 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA comminuting chamber for a waste disposer consisting of a containerbody and a cap formed from corrosion resistant strip material such asstainless steel. Flat strip for the container body is desirably formedinto a cylinder around a mandrel and the mating edges welded to form aseam. The cylinder wall is expanded andflanged at both ends to increasewall strength. The cap is made from a flat strip, drawn, and formed in aconventional manner and is crimped over the flange at one end of thecylinder and provides an inlet throat and a perpendicular shoulder toform a stepped cylinder which is inherently strong. In some embodimentsthe chamber has a dishwasher inlet tube with anti-swirl vanes thatprojects into the chamber to minimize swirl. In some embodiments thecomminuting chamber is resiliently mounted at both ends to damp noiselevel. In some embodiments there is an enclosure for electrical wiresrunning to a stopper actuated switch.

Background of the invention Various attempts have been made in the artof waste disposers to provide a comminuting chamber for the disposerconstructed of a material of sufiicient corrosion and erosion resistanceto equal or exceed the life of the complete product under normaloperating conditions. A common practice in the industry is to cast thischamber of aluminum or iron or some alloy of either material. Thesematerials typically deteriorate or corrode by reason of their chemicalreaction with water and/or other fluids, chemicals, and waste, placedinto a disposer. Deterioration is further accelerated by the erosiveaction of swirling fluids and waste within the disposer. Some attemptwas made to increase casting wall thickness beyond that required forstrength of construction to overcome corrosion deterioration; however,to be effective, this added considerable cost. Another practice is tocoat the surfaces of the comminuting chamber subject to corrosiondeterioration With epoxy and the like. This technique, however, isusually rendered ineffective because impelled waste chips and scrapesthe coating off the chamber wall and leaves a bare metal surface. Thisbare metal surface is then exposed to corrosion and erosion, as before.

Stainless steel has become popular in disposer construction because ofits corrosion resistance. However, stainless steel is relativelyexpensive and the conventional methods of construction result inconsiderable scrap. A conventional method of constructing a comminutingchamber is to cold work sheet material by mechanical press, or the like,until the desired deep drawn shape is achieved. Inasmuch as the shape ofa comminuting chamber is esentially round, the deep drawn methodinitiates from an essentially round blank punched, or otherwise removedfrom a sheet of material. This leaves approximately 20 percent of theavailable stock as scrap.

Summary of the invention In accordance with the present inventon thereis provided a comminuting chamber with a two-piece construcice tionwhich is fabricated from relatively thin sheet materials such asstainless steel, brass, copper or reinforced plastics into a structurethat affords maximum strength. The container body is the main part ofthe chamber and serves as an enclosure for the comminuting action.

Various strengthening features are provided for the container bodyincluding flanges at each end of the tubular body and a cap inengagement with the upper flange. The cap has a shoulder perpendicularto the wall of the container body which gives the container body thedesired strength and rigidity to maintain its tubular shape andwithstand large components of force commonly present during thecomminuting action when hard, unyielding waste materials are wedgedbetween the body and rotating shredder.

The two-piece cap and body construction of the present invention affordsa structure which facilitates fabrication of comminuting chambers ofdifferent capacities to accommodate differing sales demands and capacityrequirements. Increasing the width of the strip of the desired materialfor the container body will accordingly increase the length of thecomminuting chamber and the capacity. Increasing the length of the stripwill increase the diameter of the comminuting chamber.

The methodof constructing the comminuting chamber in accordance with theinvention comprises the forming of the container body into a tube orcylinder around a mandrel from sheet stainless steel or the like. Theseam is welded and the container body expanded to raise the operatingwall strength to the yield strength of the material employed, thusreducing the possibility of distortion due to high impact. The ends ofthe container body are then flanged. This method permits the use ofthinner sheet material than the method of constructing the chamber forcold working sheet metal. This method also eliminates additional costwhich may be incurred to anneal the semifinished parts to allow finishforming to the desired shape by the conventional method. The use ofsheet material to construct the comminuting chamber in uniform lengthsresults in minimizing the total scrap.

The cap may still be deep drawn. However, because it is relatively muchsmaller than the body, any scrap resultant from drawing this part is notsubstantial in the overall picture.

Further features of the comminuting chamber include a corrosionresistant dishwasher outlet or fresh water inlet tube extending into thechamber. The inwardly extending tube together with ani-swirl vanesmounted thereon diminish undesirable swirling caused by the comminutingaction which increases the pumping head at the inlet and can result inbackflow into the tube source.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide universalpositioning of the inlet tube by a rotatable mounting of the bodycontainer to a lower body which supports the motor and grinding members.

The noise level during comminuting is reduced by isolating thecomminuting chamber by resilient mounting at both ends.

A modified embodiment of the comminuting chamber of the presentinvention is provided which includes an on-off switch mounted in theside wall of the comminuting chamber. The present invention provides acover or box for the switch which may be constructed of the samematerial as the comminuting chamber to give a uniform appearance. Theelectrical wires are contained in a conduit which is formed from achannel strip stamped from sheet material which encloses a longitudinalgroove in the comminuting chamber providing an enclosure for the wires.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following disclosure.

3 Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a waste disposer, partiallybroken away embodying various of the features of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the dish-washer inlettube of the container body.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the presentinvention showing an elongated container body provided with a stopperactuated switch cover and wire enclosing channel strip.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view along line 7--7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view along line 8-8 of FIGURE 5.

Detailed description Although the disclosure herein is detailed andexact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, thephysical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the inventionwhich may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of theinvention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a waste disposer generally designated 10 is shownhaving a comminuting chamber including a relatively deep containersleeve or body 11, a relatively shallow cap 12, and a lower body 13. Thecomminuting action is provided by a comminuting ring or stationaryshredder 26 and a rotor driven by a motor enclosed in motor housing 16.Inasmuch as the motor and elements that co-operate to providecomminuting action form no part of the present invention, they are notillustrated or described in detail.

The container body 11 is desirably fabricated from a strip of thin sheetmaterial cut to the desired width and length. The strip is formedpreferably about a mandrel, into a cylinder. The joint between matingedges of the strip is welded to form a seam 17. The container body isthen expanded to increase the wall strength to the yield strength of thematerial. This can be accomplished with an expandable mandrel or thelike. This fabrication technique eliminates scrap which would otherwisedevelop if an attempt were made to deep draw this piece. In practicesuch scrap would be about percent of the available stock.

Any sheet material may be used for this purpose if it has the requiredcorrosion resistance and tensile strength. Stainless steel is desirablebecause of its strength and corrosion and erosion resistance. However,in certain applications brass or copper may be used.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4 the container body 11 is provided with anupper outturned peripheral flange 20 and lower outturned peripheralflange 21. These flanges strengthen the thin wall container body andfacilitate sealing and mounting the container body 11.

The cylindrical cap 12 is relatively shallow and is of lesser diameterthan the body 11 and provides an inlet throat 23 for the comminutingchamber. Cap 12 may be constructed of the same material as the containerbody. Because of its smaller size, it may be drawn in conventionalmanner without production of much scrap. The cap has an upper outturnedperipheral mounting flange 24 adapted for use with a resilient sinkmount such as that shown in US. Patent 3,025,007.

Cap 12 also has a radially extended outturned peripheral flangeproviding a broad annular shoulder 25. Shoulder 25 has a downwardlyformed circular head which facilitates alignment of the cap 12 on thecontainer body 11 for a crimping operation. Cap 12 is desirably securedto the container body 11 by crimping or turning the peripheral edge 32of shoulder flange 25 of the cap over the upper flange 20 of body 11.Alternate or added fastening means may be employed such as welding,adhesives, or

screws.

A fluid seal between the container body 11 and the cap 12 is afforded byan intermediate gasket 33 between shoulder 25 and flange 20. Bead 30serves to constrain the gasket against peripheral edge 20 and provideadded rigidity to the engagement between cap 12 and the container body11. The shoulder 25 perpendicular to body 11 provides an angularstructure which strengthens the body container and assists inmaintaining the desired tubular shape of the container body 11. Theresultant structure comp-rises a stepped pair of cylinders with anannular shoulder therebetween.

The techniques aforestated facilitate the use of relatively thin sheetmaterials such as stainless steel ranging between .015 and .044 inchthick. Such material thicknesses are adequate for the requirements forhome use. The use of heavier material may be required for largercommercial disposers with substantially greater horsepower.

The perpendicular shoulder 25 also provides a rebound baffle to returnupwardly swirling water and escaping waste objects which occasionallyare impelled outward into the sink during the comminuting operation.

The comminuting chamber is optionally provided with an inlet to receivedischarge from a dishwasher or fresh water from the water main. Theinlet comprises tube 34 which may be constructed of the same sheetmaterial as the container body. It projects through an aperture 35 inwall 11. Aperture 35 has an inwardly extending annular lip 36 for firmsupport of the tube 34.

The inlet tube 34 is desirably secured to the container body by a collar40 which is telescoped over the annular lip 36 and which compresses thelip 36 against the tube 34. The tube 34 is then flared at 37 tofrictionally bind the collar 40 and the inlet tube 34.

The swirl of fluids in the comminuting chamber caused by rotation of therotor 15 is broken up somewhat by the tube 34 which extends inwardlyinto the container body 11 (about A") and into the path of the swirlingfluid. Additional antiswirl effect is achieved by vanes 41 on collar 40which also interrupt such swirling. Thus the inlet structure lowers thepumping head at the inlet and retards backflow through tube 34.

In most instances the container body 11 is rotatably mounted to thecomminuting ring 26 and motor housing 16 by a lower body 13 whichcomprises a flare-shaped intermediate body section or hell 42 with anupper stepped shoulder 43 with an inwardly extending flange 44.

Resilient mounting of the container body 11 to the lower body 13 and toring 26 is aflorded by a resilient mounting gasket or ring 45 (FIG. 2)having an annular groove 46 adapted to receive the lower outturnedperipheral flange 21 of the container body 11. Mounting ring 45 is madeof any suitable elastomeric material and has a rounded shoulder 47 thatprovides a seat for the flange 44 of hell 42. Gasket 45 also has acorner groove 48 which seats on the corner of ring 26. The motor housing16 is removably secured to the lower body 13 in accordance with thedisclosure in US. Patent No. 2,868,465 and the copending applicationSer. No. 5 67,246 of James H. Enright, by three spaced lugs 51 whichengage three spaced flanges 52 on the bottom edge of the lower body 13.Lugs 51 have a cam surface 53 which raises the upper corner of ring 26in firm engagement with groove 48 of gasket 45 as the lugs 51 arerotated into engagement with flanges 52, thus clamping the motor housing16 to the comminuting chamber.

Resilient mounting of the cap 12 to a sink 38 is accomplished byutilization of a swivel sink mounting 54 with an elastomeric ring 39 inaccordance with the disclosure in US. Patent No. 3,025,007 which alsopermits universal rotation of the container body 11.

Inasmuch as body 11 is rotatable as aforestated, its inlet tube 34 canbe shifted circumferentially to facilitate connection to a dishwasheroutlet or other liquid source.

By reason of its resilient mount 39 at the top and its resilient mount45 at the bottom, the comminuting chamber floats in elastomericisolation. Transmission of sound generated in the chamber to the sinkand to the motor housing 16 is clamped by the rubber mounts, thusreducing noise level in the kitchen.

Although this engagement firmly secures the comminuting chamber to theother components of the disposal, the comminuting chamber can bereleased and rotated with respect to the motor housing. During suchrotation flange 21 rides in groove 46.

FIGURES 5 through 8 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention inwhich the comminuting chamber is adapted to mount a stopper actuatedswitch, and the wiring therefor. Switch 55 has a plunger 56 which isatcuated by a cam on a cover or a stopper (not illustrated) for thecontainer body 11. Details of such a stopper actuated switch aretypically illustrated in U.S. Patents 2,917,246 and 2,961,172, forexample.

In this embodiment of the present invention the container wall 11 has alongitudinal groove 57 which may be stamped into the container wallafter the container body 11 is seamed. The insulated electrical Wires 58connected to the switch run along groove 57 through a grommet 59 in thelower body for connection between the line circuit and the motor. Acover or switch box 60 encloses the switch 55 and is secured to thecontainer body wall 11 by a bolt 61 extending through aperture 62 in thecover and into a tapped embossment 71 integral with plate 64. Inaddition to the bolt 61 the cover 60 is maintained in engagement againstthe container body 11 by the plate 64. Plate 64 is secured to thecontainer wall by a flange 68 on a switch mount 73. Plate 64 has a tab74 which extends into groove 57 thereby preventing angular displacementof plate 64.

The electrical wires 58 are covered by a channel-shaped conduit 63desirably constructed of thin sheet material of the same type as thecontainer body 11. Conduit 63 cooperates with the wall of groove 57formed in chamber wall 11 to completely enclose the wiring. At its lowerend conduit 63 has an offset or step 67 which conforms to the stepshoulder 43 of the lower body 13. The upper end of conduit 63 has aflange or lip 65 which hooks over the lower edge 66 of cover 60 which isshown in broken lines in FIGURE 6.

The lower end of the conduit 63 has a tab 69 which enters slot 70adjacent grommet 59 in lower body 13 when the cover and channel memberare installed.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the enclosure of the wires between the channelmember 63 and the wall of groove 57. Diametric keying and alignment ofgroove 57 and grommet 59 is facilitated by a finger 72 which extendsinwardly anl upwardly from flange 44 of lower body 13 into groove 57. Inthis embodiment finger 72 prevents rotation of container body 11.

We claim:

1. A comminuting chamber for a sink mounted waste disposer said chambercomprising a relatively deep container body and a relatively shallow captherefor, said body comprising a strip of thin wall corrosion resistantmaterial formed into a cylinder and having upper and lower out-turnedperipheral flanges, said cap comprising a cylindrical throat of smallerdiameter than the cylinder of the body and having at one end a mountingflange and having at its other end a radially extending annular shoulderflange and securing means securing the periphery of said annularshoulder flange to the upper peripheral flange of the body cylinder toform said cap and body into a comminuting chamber having a largediameter relatively deep container body and a smaller diameterrelatively shallow throat.

2. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsecuring means comprises a crimp between said flanges.

3. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsecuring means includes an annular bead on said annular shoulder flangeadjacent said body wall, and a gasket surrounding said bead between theupper flange of said body and said annular shoulder flange.

4. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcontainer body has an aperture in the side wall, an inlet tube extendinginto said container body, and means to secure said inlet tube to saidbody.

5. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 4 wherein said meansto secure said inlet tube to said body comprise an annular lipsurrounding said body aperture and extending inwardly, and a collartelescoped over said annular lip compressing said lip against said tube.

6. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 5 in which said collaris provided with anti swirl vanes.

7. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 in combination witha comminuting ring at the bottom end of the container body and meansrotatably mounting said chamber to said comminuting ring.

8. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 in combination witha comminuting ring at the bottom end of the container body, a resilientmounting ring having an annular groove adapted to receive said lowerperipheral flange of said body, said mounting ring having acircumferential shoulder providing a seat, a lower body having an upper,inwardly extending flange engageable with said seat, and means todetachably secure said lower body to said comminuting ring.

9. A comminuting chamber having a lower outturned peripheral flange incombination with a resilient mount ing ring having an annular groove forreceiving said lower peripheral flange and said ring having acircumferential shoulder providing a seat, a lower body having an upperinwardly extending flange engageable with said seat, a motor housing acomminuting ring, means to detachably secure said lower body to saidmotor housing and said comminuting ring.

10. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 9 wherein said meansto secure said lower body to said motor housing and said comminutingring comprises a plurality of spaced inturned flanges on said lower bodyand said motor housing is provided with a plurality of spaced lugs whichengage said flanges.

11. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 10 wherein said lugshave a cam surface in engagement with said flanges and movement of saidlugs in engagement with said flanges urges said motor housing and saidcomminuting ring against said resilient mounting ring therebycompressing said mounting ring.

12. A comminuting chamber comprising a container body having a wall witha longitudinal groove, an electrical switch mounted in said body wall, acover for said switch, a lower body connected to said container body, acomminuter in said lower body and a motor therefor, a channel-shapedconduit along said groove to cooperate with said groove to provide awire enclosure, wiring in said enclosure from the switch to the motor,and means to secure said conduit over said groove.

13. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 12 wherein said meansto secure one end of said conduit to said container body comprises a lipengaging the lower edge of said cover and said means to secure the otherend of said conduit to said lower body comprises a tab extending into aslot in said lower body.

14. A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 1 including anelectrical switch mounted in said body wall with plunger actuatingmeans, said switch having wires to complete a circuit between the linecurrent and a driving motor, said container body having a longitudinalgroove in said body wall, and a conduit along said groove to provide anenclosure for said wires in said groove, a lower body attached to saidcontainer body, said conduit having a tab extending into a slot insaidlower body and said lower body having a finger extending into saidgroove in said container body.

15. A comminuting chamber having a sheet metal wall having an aperturetherethrough, an inlet tube extending into said container body throughsaid aperture, an annular lip surrounding said body aperture andextending inwardly, and a collar telescoped over said annular lipcompressing said lip against said tube.

16; A comminuting chamber in accordance with claim 15 in which saidcollar is provided with anti-swirl vanes.

17. In a sink mounted waste disposer having waste comminuting parts, acomminuting chamber enclosing said parts and an enclosed motor to powersaid parts, the improvement for damping sound transmission from saidchamber to the sink and to the motor enclosure in which said chamber hasa resilient mounting at its top to the sink and a resilient mounting atits bottom to the motor 20 portion and a radially extending annularshoulder between said portions, said chamber being formed of thin walledmetal, said annular shoulder rigidifying the cylindrical shape of thechamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 687,556 11/1901 Carter 2851771,316,237 9/1919 Hodgson 22067 2,244,402 6/ 1941 Powers 241-46 2,579,40012/1951 Schindler 24146 2,772,836 12/1956 Gebhart 241257 2,879,9493/1959 Jordan 241257 3,160,542 12/1964 Foye 22067 X ROBERT C. RIORDON,Primary Examiner JAMES F. MCKEOWN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

